According to The Nation, In response to a tweet that went viral last week from Bello El-Rufai, lawmaker and son of former Kaduna State governor, prominent journalist Sam Omatseye shared his perspective. Omatseye addressed his concerns regarding Bello’s background and the influence of his father, Nasir El-Rufai. According to Omatseye, Bello El-Rufai’s career has been significantly shaped by his father’s support and connections....READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE ▶▶
Omatseye noted that Bello El-Rufai has not held a substantial job in Nigeria before becoming a lawmaker, except for a brief stint at a Chinese firm, which he claimed was secured through his father’s assistance. Omatseye highlighted that Bello received his education abroad, a privilege not accessible to many Nigerians. This, he argued, was a testament to the benefits Bello enjoyed due to his father’s position and influence.
Reflecting on a past encounter with Nasir El-Rufai, Omatseye recounted a discussion that took place at the Sheraton Hotel. During this meeting, El-Rufai attempted to portray his integrity by lamenting about his modest salary. Omatseye confronted him about how he managed to fund his children’s education abroad on a government salary, which would scarcely cover a month’s rent overseas. This question, according to Omatseye, was left unanswered at the time.
Omatseye’s remarks bring into focus the broader conversation about the privileges enjoyed by the children of influential political figures in Nigeria. He suggested that the financial and professional advantages Bello El-Rufai received were due to his father’s status, rather than his own merit. This perspective casts a critical light on the paths available to those without similar connections and raises questions about the fairness of such advantages.
In the context of the viral tweet, Omatseye’s comments underscore the perceived need for accountability and transparency among public figures. His critique of Bello El-Rufai’s career trajectory reflects a broader discontent with nepotism and the disparity in opportunities within Nigerian society.
He said: Bello himself has been pampered by his father. He never had any real job in this country before he became lawmaker, except a stint at a Chinese firm his father helped him get. He schooled outside this country. I recall challenging his father at Sheraton sometime ago in front of my editor colleagues when he wanted to advertise his integrity. He said his salary was small. I asked him how he funded his children, including Bello, from a government salary that could not pay more than a month’s rent abroad. He could not answer me then. Now I know why, and why his son must defend his father…READ FULL ARTICLE
